The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-10-26
Where is Rev. }. W. smouse

We learn from the Johnsfown Tribune of
Tuesday morning that Detective Lohrer, of
Rayena, Ohio. has been searching the noun
tains about Berlin eudeavoring to ascertain
the whereabouts Of one Rev. J. W. Smouse,
an important witness in the famous 'Bhnky
Morgan case now being tried at Rayena. 1t
seems that Rev. Smouse confided to the
Johnstosn police that he had witnessed the
fatal assault upon Detective Hulligan on the
train between alliance and Ravena and this
information being forwarded to the
Ravena authorities Reverend smouse
was requested to visit that place,
and identify the prisoner. This he hid
on the 18th of August, picking Morgan
out from all the other inmates of the Jail.
This positive Identification convinced the
Rayena authorities that Smouse was an i'm
portant witness, and his expenses were paid
to and from his home ON Saturday, the
18th, Smouse was in Johnstown, where the
Burgess showed him a telegram authorizing
from Ravena Smouse said conference of
his church was to be held the following
week at McKee's Gap, in Blair county, and
that he had To be present member of an
important committee, and directed that any
telegraph or mail matter should be forward
ed to him there. Saturday evening n tele-
gram was received by the Johnstown au
thorifies saying that arrangements had been
made 10 have Smouse testify ON Tuesday and
for him to be there without fail on that day
This message was forwarded To the Rever-
end gentleman bat he failed to call for it as
agreed, and it was returned Tuesday NOR
ming Detective Lohrer arrived in Altoona
whence he jOurneyed. 10 Mckee's Gap,
where he learned thai Smouse was not there
and had not been there. Lohrer then came
TO Johnstown, and be and Officer Stearn. Of
the Johnstown force drove out 10 smouse's
residence al Fairview, Jackson Township
Mrs. Smouse informed them that her hus-
band had lefi home on Tuesday morning,
saying he was going to attend to some church
matters, bat not stating where ne was going
It was however learned that he had gone to
ptAtlfir AfthAtE -At@Al
town and teiegraphed all the facts in their
possession to the District Attorney al Ra-
yena That official replied directing Iohr-
er TO follow Smouse up and get him al all
hazards.
In compliance with these instructions
Detective Lohrer took the Friday afternoon
train ON the :. & {. for Berlin, arriving there
that evening. He learned that smouse had
left town, bat was doubtless some place in
the neighborhood Saturday morning the
Detective asceriained that about midnight
Sniouse was driven from the house at which
he was stopping, near Berlin, to cross road
several miles from that town by a man nam
Ell knepper At the cross roads Smouse
alighted from the wagon and told the driver
he had no further use for him; that he did
not wish him to know where he was going
knepper then returned TO his home leaving
Smouse on the road.
Lohrer learned that Smouse had made am
engagement to preach at Snyder's church on
Saturday evening. and he waited there for
him but he did not put in an appearance
Lohrer spent the night at Sny,ler's. came to
Johnstown Sunday morning and took the
first train for home very much disglsted
with the conduct Of Rev. ] W Smouse
The prosecution regards Mr.. Smouse as
one of its most important witnesses. He is
wanted principally to corroborafe the testi-
niony Of one Nellie Campbell, or Kennedy, a
sporting woman, who testified as to "a Bin
key Morgan getting her drink on the
train just before the assault on Officer Hulli-
gan. SmoGse witnessed the transaction, and
he Is wanted to corroboraie the woman's
testimony. the evidence of women of i'll re-
pute not being regarded as very convincing
or trustworthy
What smouse means by his conduct in
lying and hiding from the officers of the law
and in refusing 10 do Ais duty as a citizen in
bringing to justice such brutal murderer as
Morgan, he alone can explain. AS minis
ter os the gospel, it would seem that he ought
10 feel special interest in the prosecution